Stadium groundbreaking is Nov. 8

KALAMAZOO -- Volunteer leaders and Western Michigan University
officials will participate in public groundbreaking ceremonies
for the Bronco Alumni Football Center at Waldo Stadium Saturday,
Nov. 8.

The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the southwest corner
of the stadium. It precedes the WMU football game with Central
Michigan University, which starts at 1 p.m. All of the funds for
the project are coming from private sources.

The new center will include locker rooms, coaches' offices,
meeting rooms and training facilities, bringing them together
from various campus locations. This is the first major renovation
to this part of the stadium since it was built 60 years ago.

Participants will include Willard A. (Bill) Brown of Chicago,
who is co-chairperson of the campaign to help fund the project,
and WMU President Diether H. Haenicke. Brown was the 1952 season's
most valuable player and graduated from WMU in 1953.

Other participants will include Kathy B. Beauregard, director
of intercollegiate athletics; Gary Darnell, head football coach;
and Keith A. Pretty, vice president for external affairs and president
of the WMU Foundation.

Of the $7.2 million cost for the expansion, $4.2 million will
come from private gifts. More than 75 percent of the funds needed
in private gifts has been received or pledged. The balance will
be paid through bonds and other sources.